Ruling: The 2011 Honda Odyssey is a top pick for a minivan thanks to its highly versatile interior, long list of features and responsive handling.

Redesigned for this year, the 2011 Honda Odyssey is stuffed with features that reviewers say should please almost any minivan buyer. There’s seating for up to eight, and thanks to a slight bump in size, every seat has plenty of room. While the base Odyssey provides practical, basic family transportation, opting for the higher trims can get you features that reviewers are impressed with. A favorite feature is the expandable second row seat available on EX and Touring trims. With it, you can widen the second row, creating space for up to three car seats or to create a DMZ between warring siblings.

More utility than a Swiss army knife. This is one car that can handle most anything you throw at it, including seating for 8 passengers and lots of space.

It offers a limousine-like 58 cubic feet up front and in the second row seats, as well as 38 cubic feet for parcels (behind the third row) and up to 149 cubic feet with the seats folded flat

Car-like driving despite its behemoth size

Thoughtful and convenient features such as the “magic” third row seats, low rear liftover, “conversation mirror”, and built-in cooler for drinks and sandwiches up front

Serene ride and luxurious appointments

The family-hauler records a respectable 19 mpg

Dislikes:

Exterior styling is a step backwards

Minivan stigma

Not available in all-wheel drive

Verdict: This is an extremely competent minivan. Though it doesn’t have a hybrid option, fuel economy is remarkably good. It offers an incredibly practical package without any real sacrifices. It continues to be a world-leader in the minivan segment.